Top 10 Albums of 2008

Written by Nirav and Dan on December 1, 2008

>> >> Top 10 Albums of 2008

New Year’s is quickly approaching and it’s about that time to pick our Top 10 albums of 2008. That’s right, we managed to agree on the same 10 albums without firing someone… out of canon… into the Sun.

#1. Gently Disturbed | Avishai Cohen Trio

All it took was a 30-second clip of the track Chutzpan and I knew I had to make the purchase. You don’t have to be a big jazz fan to appreciate this album. But if you happen to like jazz, I know you’ll love it. I’m usually more of a jazz guitar guy or even big band stuff, so there really aren’t many piano/bass/drum trios that have really seized my full attention. That’s right, my full attention. I had to stop playing the CD while writing this post because it refused to let me do anything other than be engulfed by some of the most energetic, intricate, and articulate modern jazz out there. This is modern jazz at its best my friends.

Read full review of Gently Disturbed

#2. Nil Recurring | Porcupine Tree

Nil Recurring (2008) is perhaps not the best album to introduce oneself to Porcupine Tree, but it is certainly one of my favorites. The album is only about a half hour long with 4 tracks. Nonetheless, it is worth every penny. The album title is really ironic since the track Normal is a re-working of Sentimental from the album Fear of a Blank Planet (2007). When I say re-working, I mean a complete re-working. Virtually the only recognizable feature is an occasional melody and some lyrics. I didn’t pick up on it at first. But there was this twitch in my ear telling me to listen closer. The other three tracks seem to be completely unique from Fear of a Blank Planet, except one guitar riff about five minutes into What Happens Now. And of course the first track, Nil Recurring, is completely new (At least from the 8 albums that I have, and I know I’m missing some). I guess that’s just sublte british humour for you.

Read full review of Nil Recurring

#3. 3rd World | Immortal Technique

Is it possible for music to scare you? I’m not talking about Marilyn Manson freaky scary nor am I talking about heavy screaming that makes you think “is this much pain in a human even possible?” I’m more talking about lyrics that are so truthful and delivery that is so right in your face, that you literally have 5 sec to decide if you want to take the blue pill or red pill from Morpheus. When I listened to Immortal Technique for the first time, that’s exactly how I felt.

Immortal Technique can be best described as a hardcore underground hip-hop emcee with raw style; he uses simple beats and his lyrics can be downright caustic at times, but mostly everything he does has a message. And that message is so engrossing, you can’t help but listen to more of what he has to say.

Read full review of 3rd World

#4. Building an Empire | Demians

Building an Empire has some mild similarities between Porcupine Tree and Dead Soul Tribe, but I’m not sure I’d really use either of those bands to convey an idea of what Demians sounds like. The similarities I’ve noticed are more about the writing styles and brilliant uses of dynamics. As a whole, this album is pretty mello, but it definitely has its heavy moments. That’s right, soft and melodic vocals all the way through, and he’s actually a pretty decent singer. None of the other instruments really stick out to me because they’re all good and cohesive. Keep in mind I have a pretty critical ear too. So, simply having nothing bad to say is a pretty good compliment. However, it’s that cohesiveness, supplemented by the countless layers in these compositions, that really makes this a phenomenal album. I honestly was not willing to call this a phenomenal album until I had listened to it a few times. On the surface, it was tempting to brush it off as just some other new rock band. But as I said earlier, it left just the right amount of curiosity to keep me coming back. In fact, I’ve listened to this album in entirety six times within my first 24 hours of purchase. I haven’t been this engulfed and mesmerized by a debut album in far, far too long.

Read full review of Building An Empire

#5. Rising Down | The Roots

Rising Down (2008) will by far reach the top of the billboard charts faster than any of The Roots previous albums. Why? Because the beats are more gritty/bouncy, there is more popular-emcee collaborations, and the hooks hit on a pop tip. That’s not to say that this is a sell-out album , its simply to say that this album has more pop appeal. And more power to any group and band that can make a solid lyrical and musical album but still keep a commercial appeal. That is what is needed in this music industry because we can’t have wack emcees running this game!

The one thing I have to state real clear about Rising Down is that the music is Philly. Not just the tone and music production, but the artists and their lyrics. The Roots have always been true to Philly in their past albums, but this albums seems to speak it. The beats and tone remind you of listening to old school Beanie Sigel, Freeway, and Peedi Crakk. And the collabo emcee roster is majority Philadelphia based: Peedi Peedi, Dice Raw, Porn, Truck North, Malik B., and the list continues ….

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#6. Watershed | Opeth

Opeth released a new album on June 3rd entitled Watershed (2008). And let me tell you, it is one of the strongest rock/metal albums I’ve heard in a very long time. I will even go as far as to say since the release of 10,000 Days by Tool.

I wasn’t really a big fan of Opeth before. Mostly due to the screaming and some due to the level of straight metal sound. But I had enjoyed Damnation (album that was released in 2003) because it was “softer” and didn’t have the screaming. Watershed takes the best of their earlier albums and the greatness of Damnation to comprise a full album that can be listened to the whole way through.

Read full review of Watershed

#7. The Way I See It | Raphael Saadiq

I wish I could go back to the past like Marty McFly and check out what prom would be like during the 1960’s or early 70s. If they were playing songs like Big Easy off Raphael Saadiq’s latest album entitled The Way I See It (2008), I can see how Marty’s mom picked such a bonehead like Marty’s dad. It wasn’t about looks or even personality, it was about the music and the feeling that you get while listening to it. The music is so electrifying and so soulful, you can’t help but move and smile at the same time. And that in itself can make love spur and create the vibe for something serious. If I was born into this musical era, I would already be married and probably be on the path of poppin’ out babies! Even a white guy like you Dan could move to this without the drinks (no offense to all white guys, just the ones who were born with three left feet)! It’s just that melodic.

Read full review of The Way I See It

#8. Division | 10 Years

A newcomer to my ears, 10 Years, has put out two amazing albums entitled Division (2008) and The Autumn Effect (2005) that I’ve had a chance to hear. Both albums are play from start to end type of music. I’ve probably listened to each over 50 times and never did I pick a single and move away. And you’re damn sure that after listening to an album that many times, I remember every change in beat and every word of their lyrics. I’m so glad their lyrics are actually quality and conscious, as memorizing shit lyrics has become taxing to my brain over the years. Even if you don’t want to remember them, lyrics get stuck to the walls of your cranium. Since I know its going to happen, I prefer choosing what’s going to get stuck!

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#9. Evolver | John Legend

John Legend is not the typical R&B / soul artist. His lyrical content is much heavier, his voice is a little deeper, and he looks extremely comfortable behind the keys rather than dancing on stage. His latest album Evolver (2008) hit the market a few weeks before the presidential election, and he was still able to have large success. I attribute it to John Legend’s ability to stay unique while maintaining who he is through his lyrics and vocal strength.

Read full review of Evolver

#10. Station | Russian Circles

I was a little unsure about it the first few listens, but now I can say with confidence that Station is one of the best instrumental rock albums I own. It was the few heavy sections of Enter that really sold me, and because of that I was hoping for the new album to be heavier. Initially, I was a little disappointed, but that’s what expectations do to you. The worst thing about them is that they can blind you when you don’t get exactly what you’re looking for. Listening to Station over and over helped me notice many of the subtleties of the album, as well as the fact that heavier is not always better… even though they still have a few heavy movements. Granted, I happened to pick one of their heavier moments for the audio clip. I just couldn’t help myself, that movement was just too good to not use it as an attention grabber!

Read full review of Station